Dancing event raises nearly $100K for Lincoln Theatre

Ten local celebrity dancers competed Saturday evening and raised more than double the amount expected for the Lions Lincoln Theatre.

Steven M. Grazier IndeOnline.com staff writer @sgrazierINDE

MASSILLON The stars did more than dance on Saturday. They raised more than double the amount expected for renovation of the historic Lions Lincoln Theatre.

Overall, the Dancing with the Massillon Stars event brought in more than $96,000, shooting above the theater's goal of $40,000, according to Susan Ferrell, executive director of the Lincoln, who called the amount both exciting and thrilling.

"I'm still kind of in shock," Ferrell said on Monday. "The money will really help us out. With a 102-year-old building, there's always something."

The bulk of the money will go toward the ongoing restoration of the theater, as much of the proceeds are to assist with paying for new high-efficiency lighting, Ferrell said.

"We're trying to switch over to LED lights to save electricity," she explained.

Other money raised will assist with outdoor repairs to a brick wall of the theater building, Ferrell said, in addition to paying for shows the theater is booking.

"The dancers went above and beyond raising money for us," she said. "I can't thank them enough."

Top fundraisers, dancers

According to Julie Dewald, co-chair of the Dancing with the Massillon Stars Committee, the two top celebrity fundraisers were Bob Senkar, owner of Buffalo Wild Wings, who nabbed first place, and Shelly Boss, an area dentist and Washington High School graduate, who came in second.

Boss and Senkar were two of 10 "local celebrity" dancers who strutted their stuff on stage Saturday night. All were paired with professional dancers for the event, which was sold out at the 683-seat Lions Lincoln Theatre.

The Best Female Celebrity Dancer Award went to Dana Heffner, area manager of FirstEnergy, while Senkar earned the Best Male Celebrity Dancer Award, Dewald said.